Dates:
- Model Year
- Patent Dates
- Polishing Room Serialization Record Books (manufactured date)
- Received in the warehouse date
- Shipped from the warehouse date
- “Parts Bin” Concept
- “Work Order” Number
- Pre-1899 versus Post-1898 (antique vs. modern)
- Pre-’64 versus Post-‘63
Types:
- Rifle
- Carbine
- Musket
- Spanish Musket
- Short Rifle
- Baby Carbine or Trapper
- Shotgun
- Smooth bore
- Line throwing gun
- Models (Receiver style variations) – First Model, Second Model, etc.
Numbers and Markings:
- Serial Number
- “A” & “B” Suffix
- “L” serial number prefix
- Assembly Number
- Fitters’, Assemblers’, and Inspectors’ numbers & marks
- Winchester “W” mark
- Martial Markings
- Proof Marks
- Barrel Address
- Tang Markings
- K.S.M. (Kelly S. Morse) government inspector
Engraving:
- Factory vs. Non-Factory or “Outside” Engraving
- Factory Engravers – Hoggson, Nimschke, Ulrich (Conrad, Herman, John, Alden), Stokes, Gough,
- Lockwood Sanford
- Signed
- Styles
- Relief Engraving
- $2.50 worth of engraving
- Inscription
Tang:
- Upper
- Lower
Wood:
- Forend
- Forearm
- Fore Stock
- Handguard
- Stock
- Butt stock
- Pistol Grip
- Round Knob
- Semi Pistol Grip
- Heel
- Wrist
- Comb
- Whelen Fluted Comb
- Length of Pull
- Drop
- Inletting
- “Proud” of the metal
- Checkering (H & I patterns)
- Carved (A – F patterns)
- Walnut
- Dense Walnut
- Gumwood
- Rosewood
- Birdseye Maple
- Deluxe
- Fancy Wood – x, xx, xxx, xxxx
- Presentation Grade
- Extra Finish
- Straight (plain) grain
- Tiger striped
- Flame grain
- Figuring
- Burl
- Oil Finish
- Varnish Finish
- Piano Finish
- Original Finish
- Refinish
- Sanded
- Repair
- Henry Bump
Barrel:
- Chamber
- Crown
- Muzzle
- Length – how to measure
- Octagon
- Round
- ½ Octagon (Part Round)
- Matted
- Heavy
- Extra Heavy, Bull or Buffalo barrel
- Tapered
- Rapid Taper
- Pencil
- Light weight
- Short
Magazine:
- Full mag
- Half Mag
- ⅔ Mag
- ¾ Mag
- Button Mag
- Cartridge Count Mag
- Special Mag
- Box Mag
Condition (Metal):
- % of Original Blue Coverage
- Thinning Blue
- Color Tone – Bright Blue, Blue, Brown, Patina, Silver, Mottled Appearance, Clean metal, Nickeled Appearance, Early Case Hardened, Color Case Harding, Vivid Case Colors
- Forging Marks
- File Marks
- Bonze – Butterscotch Patina, dark mustard color, crystal lattice, cleaned, polished.
- Buggered Screws
- Peened Screws
- Replaced Screws
- Bore – Bright, shiny, frosty, dark, pitted, ringed
- Rifling – sharp, clean, weak, shot-out
- Pitting
- Edge Wear
- Original
- Numbers Match
- Tinkered-with
- Outside work
- Breaking the “seal”
- Original Crud
- It Flows
- Touched-up with Cold Blue
- Truth Serum
- Cement Mixer Grade
- Fence Post
- Coffin Handle
Metal Components & Mechanical Assemblies:
- Receiver (frame)
- Bronze (gun metal) Frame
- Iron Frame
- Forged Steel Frame
- Solid Frame
- Take Down Frame
- Action
- Chamber
- Caliber
- Cartridge Elevator
- Lever
- Hammer
- Side Plates
- Toggles
- Flat Spring
- Coil Spring
- Timing Springs
- Timing Screws
- Barrel band
- Forend band
- Magazine retaining band or “hanger”
- Forend tip
- Follower
- Follower Stop
- Spring guide
- Loading gate (Spring Cove) – flat, conical
- Loading sleeve
- Dust (mortise) cover
- Sling Swivel
- Screw Eyes
- Sling hooks
- Sling
- Saddle Ring or Sling Ring
- Bayonet lug
- Saber bayonet
- Angular bayonet
- Scabbard
- Firing pin
- Center fire
- Rim fire
- Conversion to Center fire
- Forend cap
- Butt plate – crescent, rifle, carbine, shot gun, hard rubber, Swiss, Schuetzen (Helm, Laudensack)
- Trap door
Cleaning Rods:
- Three Piece – Carbine
- Four Piece – Rifle
- Five Piece – Musket
- Wooden Rod – Henry
- Steel & Brass Rod – Henry
Sights:
- Front
- Rear
- Tang
- Vernier
- Receiver
- Windage Adjustable
- Graduations
- Military style (Buffington, Hotchkiss, Krag M1901, etc.)
- Blade
- Bead (brass, copper, gold, ivory, silver, tin)
- Rocky Mountain
- Buckhorn
- Flat top
- Elevator
- Knife Blade
- Ivory
- Coin Silver
- German Silver
- Platinum & Aluminum Inlay or insert
- Hood
- Winchester & Other Manufacturers (Lyman, King, Marbles, Sheard)
Standard Features versus Special Order Features
Documentation:
- Cody Letter
- Madis Letter – inspection, description & certification
- BATF Letter
- Springfield Research Letter
- Provenance
- Historical Documents
Valuation:
- Condition Rarity
- Desirability
- Originality
- Rarity